Selene stretched her muscles. Despite the headache, she felt good and rested. If she had the time she would have stayed in bed, but there was always coven business to attend to. She got up and changed her clothes. Whatever happened when she was out had drained her. She opened the fridge to see more than enough blood to feed on. She was about to start when there was a knock on the door.

'Come in.' She said and put the bag aside.

'Good to see you up and about.' David said.

'Good to see you too. I wanted to apologize for the way I treated you.' Selene said. 'I didn't mean to pull rank on you before.'

'It's fine. I got it out of my system. Varga might not be too happy though.' David smirked. 'How did it go?'

'According to Connar and Varga it went fine.'

'You don't know yourself?' David said surprised.

'I was unconscious for a bit over 2 minutes and out of it for an hour after that. Connar forwent to tell some of the side effects to any of us.' Selene sighed. 'Did word spread through the coven already?'

'No. There were only a handful of people involved. They are informed on a need-to-know basis and will keep quiet.' David said. 'Are you and Michael still going ahead with the plan?'

'Yes, we are. Unless there is a less dangerous plan.'

'Unfortunately, no. We should come up with a cover story for the coven to agree for a second mission. It needs to be convincing, otherwise people will start to doubt why an Elder goes on a second mission within a few weeks. Especially since you haven't been on missions in a long time.' David spoke.

'We will tell the coven that we came across suspicious activity during our previous mission which we need to investigate further.' Selene answered.

'You will be forced to take your guards and a couple of Death Dealers with you.' David replied. 'I think it would be best to tell them you require some private time away from the mansion. Everyone will understand.'

'I do not wish the entire coven to know my private life.'

'The entire coven already knows your whole life as it is. Every time either of us walk through the halls, the entire coven knows.' David sighed. 'Life of an Elder.'

'Unfortunately.' Selene replied. 'Let's combine the two stories. Even the coven would not deny that two hybrids should be able to handle themselves. We will finalize the plan tomorrow.'

'Tomorrow?' David asked.

'Side effect of Black Dusk is a lingering headache and reduced energy.' Selene explained.

'Let me get you some blood.' David was about to stand up.

'No need.' Selene said and showed him the bag she put aside. 'I was just about to feed when you came in.'

Selene hesitated. She wasn't used to feeding like this in front of others beside her family. Then again, David was practically family and she needed to feed.

David went on about some minor details he had discussed with the council as Selene started to feed. She welcomed the blood and noticed her energy went up the minute she finished the bag. Her body was craving for a second bag. It will have to wait until David is gone. As if he knew what she was thinking, David got up and got a second bag out of the fridge.

'Here.' David handed her the bag, and she gladly took it.

They talked about council business for another hour until David was called away. 'I will see you tomorrow to discuss the plan.'

'See you tomorrow.' Selene replied.

The news of a new mission sent a wave of excitement through the coven. Michael and Selene were getting their gear in the training area, and she could feel all eyes on her.

'Here you go.' Varga said as he handed Selene her trusted Beretta's. 'The different magazines are filled with UV rounds, silver nitrate and normal bullets. You never know which ones you might be needing.'

'Thank you.' She replied with a grin. 'You did a perfect job cleaning them.'

The guns felt like home to her. She had used many guns over the years, but these would always be her favorites.

'As you don't have a weapon of choice yet, you'll be getting a pair as well. This way, you can use the same magazines.' Varga said to Michael.

'I do have a preferred weapon.' Michael said as he showed his hands.

'You can't shoot those.' Varga replied. 'Take them anyway. Anything else you might need?'

Varga was playing along as planned. They didn't need any of the guns, but the rules stated they needed to be prepared for anything going on a mission.

'Some throwing knifes.' Selene responded.

'Already in the bag, together with a week worth of blood and explosives.' Varga said.

'Explosives?' Selene raised her eyebrow.

'Courtesy of me.' Varga subtly winked. 'I assumed you will take your Jag, so it is filled up and ready in the garage. Are you sure you don't need a guard or army with you?'

'If we do, you'll be the first to call.' Michael replied. 'Can you put this stuff in the car? We'll meet you there.'

'Yes, sir.'

Selene gave her Beretta's back to Varga and followed Michael back to their chambers.

'Do we have everything?' Selene asked.

'I think so. I packed everything we needed from the infirmary and Varga took care of all the guns we are going to need.' Michael said sarcastically.

'Such a dangerous mission.' Selene smiled. 'Where's Eve?'

'I'm here.' Eve answered. 'How long will you be gone?'

'We will stay at the safe house for two days before we return.' Selene answered. 'Did you think about learning more about coven business?'

'I did and it can't hurt to try.' Eve said.

'When we get back, you can sit in on a council meeting to see what you think.'

Selene looked at her daughter and saw the same reluctance on her daughter's face as she felt during the council meetings. She hated to force Eve to sit in on them, but the council expected it from the both of them.

'In the meantime, Varga made a nice training schedule for you if you want. I think he said something about guns.' Selene casually mentioned to cheer up Eve.

'Really?' Eve got a gleam in her eyes. 'I get to shoot guns?'

'Is she really?' Michael asked.

'Yes.' Selene said. 'She needs to learn at some point.'

'I'm standing right here. You know I can hear you.' Eve said. 'Can I shoot with yours?'

'No, you cannot.' Selene laughed. Eve really did take after her. 'Since this is an official mission, I need to bring them with me. Besides, you will start with practice weapons.' Selene said. 'Take care sweety and we will see you in two days.'

'You too mom.' Eve turned to Michael. 'Make sure she doesn't do anything, well, stupid.'

'Eve!' Selene exclaimed.

'I will honey.' Michael laughed and hugged Eve. 'See you in two days.'

Selene hugged her as well and they left with all their gear. They passed quite a few people on their way to the car. Only a few dared to speak and wish them a good mission, the rest nodded or even bowed. Selene nodded back and tried to ignore the stares. Varga greeted them by the car and took her bags. He opened the trunk and Selene saw multiple bags already there.

'What are you planning for us to do with that many bags?' Selene asked.

'They are filled with new supplies for the safe house.' Michael answered. 'I want to restock the stuff I used and put some extra as well.'

'I am just here for the guns. The rest is from Michael and Connar.' Varga replied.

'Good to know.' Selene responded. 'Varga, I promised Eve she can start basic training with guns while we are gone. As you will know, she will want to start with Beretta's. Please dial down her enthusiasm a bit and do not start with those.'

'That was your idea? Sweet!' Varga smirked. 'She will be so thrilled, but as with any recruit, she will first have to show her skills with the practice guns.'

'Target practice only.' Selene commanded.

'Michael, are you ever scared you will end up with two Selene's?' Varga asked.

'Terrified.' Michael smirked. 'She wants to be just like her mother.'

'To ease your mind a bit, Eve's hand to hand combat is just like her father's.'

'If the two of you are quite finished, I would like to get moving.' Selene joined in.

'Enjoy your trip together. Probably the only one you'll be getting in quite some time.'

And with that, Varga walked off. Selene and Michael got in the car and drove to the safe house. It had been the same as they had previously been in. Michael had been reluctant to go back, but it was the closest one to the city they supposably be investigating. She pulled up in front of the hidden gate. The garage door opened, and Selene reversed the car in the hidden parking spot.

'Why didn't we use this the first time?' Michael asked.

'There was no need. We were planning to be there for an hour. A car standing in the middle of a forest for two days might attract too much attention.' Selene explained. 'Let's get the gear out.'

She got out of the car and opened the trunk. Curious what kind of weapons Varga had packed them, she opened the bag. Selene rolled her eyes at the content.

'Vargas' definition of explosives is different from mine. We really won't be needing these.' Selene smirked.

'What do you… oh!' Michael stopped. 'If those are from his personal collection, I'll pass. Besides, we don't need those to get things heated.'

'Let's just get the guns and leave the rest.'

'Well, these will come in handy. Unless you want to give Eve a nice sibling she can train with.' Michael smiled.

'Already taken care off.' Selene casually mentioned.

She grabbed her own bags and left Michael with a longing look on his face. This was the first time in forever they had a place to themselves, and she was planning on using it to the fullest. Selene dropped their gear in the corner of the room and started spreading the weapons. Varga had asked her to do so, so he could use the video for training purposes. Showing how Death Dealers prepare for a mission. Michael had recovered and helped her get the room ready. When they were finished, Selene moved a table and stepped on it. Michael raised his eyebrows.

'I arranged with Danny that we can disconnect the cameras for one and a half day to have some privacy.' Selene explained. 'After that we have to put them back on. The perimeter cameras have to stay on though.'

'Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.' Michael said and immediately jumped on the table.

What they didn't say in front of the cameras was their final plan for which they also needed to prepare with the cameras off.

Michael seemed to be racing through the room when he found out the cameras could be disconnected. Selene decided just to watch as he climbed on top of chairs to take them down. The safe house wasn't particularly homey, but privacy was not something they got a lot of in the coven. When Michael finished with the cameras, Selene had a split second to see the longing on his face before he tackled her to the ground.